Vinyl Deck of Choice for Pulte Homes is Duradek

Duradek and Durarail are one of the balcony products of choice for Pulte Homes, one of America’s largest homebuilders. Pulte Homes has maintained a disciplined approach to construction over the last 50 years and has homes in over 35 markets across the country. Over the years, Pulte Homes has won more awards for customer satisfaction than any other homebuilder and it is their unwavering commitment to quality and choosing quality products like Duradek that demonstrates that commitment to excellence.

U.S. New Privately-Owned
Housing Units Authorized
by Metropolitan Area: 2011

According to the U.S. Census Bureau News Joint Releasefrom the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released on October17 residential construction statistics show that new housing construction is on the rise, particularly with multi-residential developments. A good example of this type of development is the PulteHomes development of the MetroWest community in Fairfax, Virginia. This community of luxury townhomes and townhome condominiums offers the best in quality and style so it was a natural choice to include balconies and roof top decks finished with the attractive and dependable Duradek vinyl to provide reliable waterproof protection. Designed to be low maintenance, Duradek and Durarail are the perfect choices due to their durability and long-lasting performance that requires very little cleaning maintenance to keep looking great.

Duradek on the Townhome Condominiums

The MetroWest community has two distinct styles of Townhome Condominiums: The “Lafayette” and the “Saratoga”, with the desirable Saratoga including a Duradek balcony off of the kitchen.


MetroWest Townhome & Condonuminium Balconies by Duradek

Duradek on the Townhomes

There are three styles of townhomes at the MetroWest community: The “Blake”, “Stuart” and “Tyler”. All are available with decks, and as the design includes placement of some of the decks overtop of the first floor garage, it is imperative that the deck waterproofing perform as a roofing grade membrane to fully protect the structure underneath.

 

MetroWest Townhome Rooftop Deck with
 Waterproof Protection by Duradek

This is where Duradek is clearly the vinyl waterproof membrane of choice as it offers a walkable surface with roof grade waterproof protection. In a choice of over two dozen styles and colors, Duradek has a look for any homeowner, including the proud new homeowners of a MetroWest townhome.



Duradek and Durarail are the perfect low-maintenance combination
for Roof Grade Waterproof Protection on Walkable Rooftop Decks

Vinyl Decking Vs. Composite Decking - Performance Results

Duradek has found that sources like GardenStructure.com and ProSalesMagazine.com are just two of the many sites that are discussing the topic of composite decking, a decking product alternative that has raised many questions. Vinyl decking has developed a reputation as a reliable, low maintenance solution for waterproofing decks and outdoor living space, but if you’ve been to any home shows or building shows in the last few years, you have probably seen or heard about composite decking.

Composite decking is a wood and plastic combination formed into planks that closely resemble the look of real wood. In theory, WPC decking, or wood plastic composite decking has an appeal for people who like the look of wood, but want a low maintenance alternative. But if what you truly want is a deck that is made to last without a lot of maintenance, you might want to do a little investigating before you sign any contracts.

Decking Products: Proven Performance or Trial and Error

Duradek, the premiere deck waterproofing PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) membrane has a history of nearly 40 years of protecting decks throughout North America. There are few waterproofing products that can come close to matching Duradek’s record of performance for waterproofing effectiveness and the promise of low maintenance deck surfaces. Certainly over such a span of years, there has been ongoing research and development to ensure Duradek is always working well with new grades of lumber and updated building codes, and only subtle adaptations to already proven methods of application has kept Duradek rated as an approved walkable roof deck membrane. Overall, Duradek is a time proven success story for waterproofing decks.



A deck protected with Duradek Ultra Cork Natural membrane

Composite decking, however, is still developing through its infancy stage and manufacturers seem to steadily be making changes or ‘improvements’ to the product. From the original WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) to today’s Capped WPC, what works and what doesn’t work is changing. Now there is even a company developing a wood plastic composite using nanotechnology to create a tougher ‘cap’ to encircle the composite deck boards. For many building professionals, these types of innovations raise more questions and uncertainty on long-term performance value. Sites like GardenStructure.com are attempting to shed some light on the topic of composite decking and its manufacturers.

Deteriorating Composite - Image from GardenStructure.com

There is a huge strain on contractors to develop enough familiarity with composite products to have the required amount of expertise that you would expect from their services. Installations of products that are going through so many early stage developmental changes are quite risky indeed. Besides the fact that contractors may not have enough history with composite products to deal with intricacies that may apply to a given installation, it is the manufacturing companies that offer the warranty on the product. There has been some notable turnover in the composite decking industry, and one company has changed ownership twice since their composite decking products were released, which in effect makes any warranties offered by prior ownership completely worthless. ProSalesMagazine.com offers an insightful article on composite decking from the deck builders perspective.

Duradek vinyl has been produced by the same North American manufacturer for its entire history and has maintained consistent ownership for nearly 40 years. Duradek’s leading 10 year waterproofing warranty raised the bar for industry performance and Duradek professionals know the intricate details involved in waterproofing.

In fact, Duradek vinyl is installed ONLY by specially trained and authorized installers, so there is no guesswork on the job site. When you call a Duradek installer, you can be confident that your contractor knows the product well and has been specially trained in its installation, that the product performs well, and that you have the written guarantee of roof grade waterproof protection.

If you would like to speak with a Duradek installer in your area for a free, no-obligation estimate on your deck, check out Duradek’s ‘Find a Dealer’ page to begin your journey towards beautiful and protected outdoor living space.

Duradek Welcomes New Dealer to the Lower Mainland, BC

New Duradek Dealer – Columbus Construction and Restoration

The lower mainland of BC is the home to Duradek and is where Duradek began to build its professional reputation of superior waterproofing performance with its vinyl waterproofing membrane since 1974.

Nearly 40 years later, Duradek is still the leader in vinyl waterproofing for balconies and roof top decks. Professional contractors know that Duradek offers a product that reliably performs its waterproofing function and is something that their customers can depend on. The team at Columbus Construction and Restoration based in Richmond, BC recognizes that reliability and that is why they are proud to now be one of the latest additions to the network of quality trained, authorized Duradek Dealers.

About Columbus Construction and Restoration – Duradek Dealer for Richmond, BC

Columbus Construction and Restoration was established in 2003 by a well-rounded team of professionals to best serve property management projects. Since then they have grown steadily, earning the trust of strata property managers and building management companies and developing solid long-term customer relationships. While their forte is large-scale renovation, remediation and reconstruction projects, the Columbus team always welcomes small jobs and minor repairs.

Trent Smalley of
Columbus Construction
and Renovation

Specializing in building envelope and waterproofing solutions, Columbus Construction often called upon their local Duradek dealer for the installation of the waterproof vinyl for their decking projects. Partner and Director of Sales, Trent Smalley, who has dedicated his career to the construction industry and has a commitment to service excellence, recognized the benefits of using Duradek on their projects. As a professional with strong business integrity and an eye for detail, Trent decided that it may be time to make the inquiry about Columbus Construction becoming a Duradek dealer.

Duradek installers in a
training session.

Trent called Duradek Business Development Manager, Kevin MacMillan to pose the question, and as luck would have it for Columbus Construction, there happened to be an opening for a new dealer in their area. With the timing being right for this opportunity, Trent met with Kevin and selected some key members of his team to undergo the specialized training required to install Duradek which ensures Columbus Construction was armed with all of the intricate installation details that sets Duradek ahead of the competition.

Duradek is thrilled to have Columbus Construction and Restoration as members of their Dealer Network. The professional dedication and strong community involvement offered by Columbus Construction is a valuable combination. If you happened to attend the Vancouver Home & Design Show at BC Place Stadium October 11th – 14th, you may have talked with Trent at the Duradek booth where he answered an abundance of deck waterproofing questions and demonstrated the excellence that Duradek Dealers have become known for.

If you are interested in becoming a Duradek Dealer, we invite you to explore the opportunity. And if you are looking for a waterproofing professional for your deck project, check out our listing of trained and authorized dealers near you.

Waterproof Deck Details

Waterproofing details for your deck or flat roof, no matter how small they may seem, make the critical difference between a successful waterproofing job and an expensive lesson. There is nothing quite as disheartening as discovering that the money and time invested in your deck renovations was ineffective and resulted in the need to replace water damaged sections of your home. When your deck is not built or waterproofed correctly, all of the surrounding area of your home is at risk of water infiltration.

The professional installers of Duradek vinyl waterproof membranes have been in the decking business for decades. For nearly 40 years, Duradek has been waterproofing decks in all North American climates and one thing is consistent no matter what the region or type of decking material used…if you cut corners on waterproofing details, it will cost you more in the long run.

Details Matter…Especially in Waterproofing Decks and Flat Roofs

Duradek is the leader in waterproof decking and has the most tested and approved PVC vinyl on the market for use on walkable rooftop applications. Although Duradek is confident that our vinyl is the most superior product of its type available, it is the installation details that really count for how well the product performs. That is why Duradek is installed only by trained and authorized contractors that are well-versed in the intricate details of waterproofing. Many do-it-yourselfers, and many professional builders for that matter, do not have the specific knowledge and experience required to ensure all of the waterproofing considerations have been carefully addressed.


Duradek of Utah / Dek Max transformed this damaged deck.

Take a look at this video clip presented by Matt at Duradek of Utah / Dek Max. Matt reviews just a few of the waterproofing details to consider with installing a waterproof vinyl membrane and highlights a couple of the details that make the Duradek difference.

Waterproofing Details You Need To Know

When you are building or renovating your deck, be sure to rely on a waterproofing professional to ensure your waterproofing will stand the test of time. Using an authorized Duradek installer is the only way to ensure you get the Duradek warranty and be secure in the knowledge that your deck has guaranteed waterproofing performance for at least 10 years.

Sure there are ways to save money on any home improvement project, but if you want the performance of your deck waterproofing project to last, make sure you do it right the first time. Some homeowners discover this through trial and error. Take a look at this example where a homeowner went through various attempts with other contractors before calling in the Duradek experts.

Business Opportunity for Builders to Make the Duradek Difference

Duradek, the leader in vinyl deck waterproofing, has nearly 40 years of experience protecting roof top decks, patios, balconies and more all over North America. While Duradek is certainly proud of their 3rd party tested and roofing approved vinyl products, it is the network of professionally trained waterproofing experts who install Duradek that make it the most reliable option for protecting your outdoor living space.

While Duradek is confident that their vinyl is simply the superior choice when compared to similar products on the market, Duradek president John Ogilvie will be the first to say that no matter how great a waterproofing product is - the true performance relies on the intricate details of its installation. That is why Duradek in only available through our network of approved, trained installers.

Duradek Opportunity for Your Own Business

If your background as a builder, roofer, remodeler or contractor has you searching for an opportunity to build a solid business foundation with a reliable product, you may want to give Duradek some consideration. We asked Duradek Sales Manager, Kevin MacMillan, a few key questions for those of you that might be interested in becoming a Duradek dealer.

1 – What makes a good Duradek Dealer?

A good Duradek is someone who recognises that there is more to a deck that just a landing area. When a potential dealer wraps his mind around the fact that a deck is an extension of your living space, he is better equipped to offer options on how to make that space as functional, cost effective and beautiful as possible. Typically a Duradek Dealer is someone who thinks outside of the box – an entrepreneurial person with strong conviction.

2 – What are the advantages of being a Duradek Dealer?

The advantages of being a Duradek dealer are that you are involved in a fun, fast-paced and innovative niche sector of the construction industry. That is all to say that the competition is not extreme and the market is good. Duradek HQ offers free training, marketing support, national trade show exposure, extensive technical support and prolific web presence/exposure.

3 – How much training and investment is required?

Duradek does not charge for training or for a dealership from our head office location. However it is up to the individual companies interested in Duradek to come to our training facility in Kansas City, MO or Vancouver, BC. There is also the possibility of training for a reasonable fee at one of our established Distributor areas. The training is a full 2 day experience with about 80% of the time with the tools in your hands. Once you have the basic training under your belt, you are ready to install Duradek. The Marketing department will then advise you on how to take advantage of our web-site, our literature and our people.

Considering a Business Opportunity with Duradek?

If these few considerations have intrigued you and you would like more information on Duradek Dealer opportunities, we invite you to look a little closer at what makes the Duradek difference. Call Corporate Development Manager, Kevin MacMillan at 1-866-591-5594 and he will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Duradek Participates at National Trade Shows like IBS

If you are not looking for a business opportunity, but recognize that Duradek can beautifully protect your own deck, contact one of our specially trained dealers in your area for a no-obligation, free estimate and see first-hand what makes the Duradek difference.

Duradek Vinyl Membrane Installation Guide

The Importance of Using a Pro

Waterproofing a deck with a vinyl membrane is a long lasting and low maintenance option when compared to many deck waterproofing alternatives; however it is the installation that truly tests the performance of any vinyl product.

After nearly 40 years of waterproofing decks and balconies all over North America, the folks at Duradek know waterproofing. Duradek professionals know that no matter how strong and reliable the vinyl product may be, it is the method of installation that makes the difference of a deck being successfully waterproofed for well over a decade or having annual leaking issues to resolve. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a professional builder, we know that you want the most performance value for your money and your time. When it is a permanent investment in protecting your home from invasive water damage, it is not wise to take chances with trial and error methods. Deck waterproofing can have many tricky details that even qualified builders are not familiar with, and this is why Duradek is only installed by specially trained dealers that have been educated on the intricacies of deck waterproofing.

Vinyl Membrane Installation Details

Duradek Professinals know the
intricate details of waterproofing
- from begining to end.

For example, if you are gluing a vinyl membrane to the deck surface, are you confident the surface will accept the adhesive without any adverse reactions to compromise its performance? Are you able to confidently heat-weld a membrane or would you take a chance with using only glue? Have you considered and installed water diverters below the membrane to deflect water away from critical details? What do you do to best protect your home from water damage where deck meets wall?
These are just a few of the many questions and details a Duradek installer considers when working on any waterproofing project. So for the most success in installing waterproof vinyl on your deck, follow the installation recommendations by Duradek…simply call your Duradek dealer.

The Duradek Installation Guide

How to Remove Stains from a Vinyl Deck

How to Get Stains Out of a Well-Used Vinyl Deck

If your deck is protected with Duradek, you are probably already aware of how easy Duradek vinyl is to clean. On our post from September 19th - How to Clean and Care For Your Duradek Vinyl Deck, we discussed the care and cleaning of your Duradek vinyl deck and how inspecting your deck is a step that you should take to ensure all of your waterproofing details are intact. If during your seasonal cleaning or annual inspection you came across any stains on your vinyl from a full summer of use, we’ve got some tips for you on how to remove them.

Vinyl Deck Stains from a Busy Summer of Fun

Your deck doesn't need
to keep the condiment drips!

If you are a lucky homeowner who was able to enjoy a summer season full of barbecues and sunbathing, you might come across the occasional ‘oops’ of a spilled condiment that was not addressed right away. Don’t be disheartened if wiping it off leaves you with a stain…there are a few tricks we can suggest to help you remove these blemishes from your deck surface.

Vinyl Deck Ketchup Stains  – For a ketchup stain, first try using some diluted Duradek vinyl cleaner and scrub the stain with a soft brush and water; then rinse well and dry. If that does not get the stain out, try using FANTASTIK spray cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent. Let it sit on the stain for just a few minutes, give it a scrub with a soft brush and then thoroughly rinse and dry.

Vinyl Deck Mustard Stains – For a mustard stain, follow the same steps as above for ketchup stains. If the stain is very stubborn, and is still there after that, try using one (1) tablespoon ammonia to one (1) quart of water, scrub with a soft brush, then thoroughly rinse and dry.

Vinyl Deck Suntan Lotion Stains – For this type of stain, follow the same first two steps with Duradek vinyl cleaner and/or Fantastic Spray Cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent. If those methods do not work for you, contact the product manufacturer for their recommendations. Surprisingly, suntan lotion is a product that may contains dyes that can sometimes permanently stain.

If your barbecue left stains,
there are some solutions to try.

Vinyl Deck Grease Stains – If your barbecue was on overdrive this summer and the grease made its way to settle on your deck, the first step is to wipe or gently scrape off any excess grease that has settled on the surface. Next, use FANTASTIK spray cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent. Let it sit on the stain for just a few minutes, give it a scrub with a soft brush and then thoroughly rinse and dry. If staining remains and you know the type of grease it is, follow instructions recommended by the product manufacturer.

 

Vinyl Deck Rust Stains – If your barbecue or other items sitting on your deck have left rust stains on your deck, apply a little Navel Jelly and watch the rust dissolve. Navel Jelly is basically a gel solution that has been infused with phosphoric acid. When placed on a rust stain, the phosphoric acid interacts with the iron oxide in rust. The interaction transforms it into iron phosphate, a substance that can be easily removed. Once the rust has been loosened, simply wipe and rinse thoroughly. The use of gloves is recommended when using any chemical treatment. After rinsing, we recommend you clean the surface with diluted Duradek Cleaner using a soft brush, and again provide a thorough rinse.

 

Vinyl Deck Stains from a Busy Summer of Projects

Maybe you spent your summer working on some maintenance or creative projects around the house, and what better place to do so than on your beautiful deck.  Few people can pull of a home project without some type of spill, but don’t worry. We’ve got some suggestions for you if you had some project mishaps this summer that left a stain on your deck.

Painting mishaps on your deck may be able to be resolved!

Vinyl Decks Stained with Latex Paint – If you find any latex paint has stained your Duradek, it is not necessarily there permanently. The methods of scrubbing with diluted Duradek vinyl cleaner and/or Fantastic Spray Cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent may work for you. If not, this is an instance to contact the product manufacturer for their recommendations.

Vinyl Decks Stained with Oil Based Paint – If any oil based paint has gotten on the surface of your Duradek vinyl, first you should try to remove as much as you can by wiping it off (or lightly scraping it off if already dry). Then you can follow the same directions as for the removal of latex paint stains.

Vinyl Decks Stained with Permanent Marker – the key word here is permanent, and many ink stains from permanent markers may permanently stain or discolor the vinyl surface. In this instance, Duradek vinyl cleaner will not remove the stain; however you may have some success with Fantastic Spray Cleaner or Cascade Powdered Dishwasher Detergent. If that is not successful, contact the manufacturer of the marker for their suggestions.

Be Prepared to Protect Your Vinyl Deck from Stains

Your vinyl deck surface is quite durable but care must still be paid when attempting to remove stains. Sharp or scraping type of objects should be avoided as this method of removing stains will damage the finish of your vinyl surface and if you are not careful, you may puncture the membrane and compromise the reliability of its waterproofing function. When at all possible, deal with spills right away. If a stain has made its way onto your deck, refer to Duradek’s Cleaning Recommendations. You can find it on the back of your Duradek Warranty card, or you can access cleaning recommendations on the Duradek website.

A lot of Duradek homeowners report being happy with their deck for upwards of 20 years. If you would like to find out about installing Duradek at your home, or it’s time to replace your Duradek vinyl deck with one of our new colors or patterns, contact your local Duradek dealer.

Duradek Invites You to Visit the Vancouver Home & Design Show 2012

Duradek, the leader in PVC waterproof membranes for all varieties of decks invites you to stop by and visit us at booth #537 next week at the Vancouver Home & Design Show. Register online and save $3.00 off the price of regular admission ($15.00).

Taking place at BC Place Stadium from Thursday October 11th to Sunday October 14th, this annual Home Show offers something for everyone with a diverse selection of exhibitors covering everything from building your home to decorating and entertaining in it.

Celebrity Guests on the HGTV Main Stage

Bryan Baeumler, Master Contractor – the Gemini-award winning host of HGTV’s ‘Leave it to Bryan’ and ‘House of Bryan’ takes the HGTV Main Stage on Friday October 12th, at  2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Popular for his no-nonsense approach, Bryan started his first handyman business at the age of 14. This year he is joining Canada’s Handyman Challenge as a judge.  Jillian Harris, Interior Designer – Familiar from popular shows such as the Bachelor and the Bachelorette, Jillian has also been a part of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTVs Handyman Challenge, and you can now watch for her as the Design Host on W-Network’s ‘Love it or List it Vancouver’. Jillian takes the Mainstage on Friday, October 12th at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 13th at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

 

These celebrity guests and several more will be taking the HGTV Main Stage throughout the show.

Vancouver Home & Design Show Highlights

In addition to visiting Duradek at the Home and Design Show, here are some of the highlights you might want to include in your visit:

• HGTV Main Stage appearances
• Savor Your Life Cooking Stage
• Opening Night Bake-Off
• Shop Art – Exhibit of Vancouver Artists
• Western Living Lounge
• Vancouver Preparedness Show
• GVHBAS Renovation Gallery
• Ask A Decorator
• Design
• Through the Decades
• Portobello West

Visit Duradek at Booth #537

If you’ve got any questions about deck waterproofing, this could be the most important stop you make at the Vancouver Home & Design Show. Duradek has been waterproofing decks, balconies and roof top decks for nearly 40 years and bring you the waterproofing expertise needed for your outdoor living space. Take a moment to discuss Duradek’s excellent warranty with one of our specially trained and authorized installers. We hope to see you there!